Gansu in 9 days - 敦煌，七彩丹霞，嘉峪关，莫高窟 和 新龙门客栈,张掖·！

[Voodooman]

On 8/10/2024 at 7:37 PM, Tohto said:

My travel to China on business was mainly in the early 2010s for a few years. 

I had a multiple time in 2 weeks travel 5 city.  Visiting University research lab and some government related research institute. Uni in big city and even ulu place. Basically 2 days one city and weekend is my break. Some city include Shenzhen, Guanzhou, Zhengzhou, Kunmin, Xinxiang, WuHan, Ordos, Chengdu  Nangjing, Shanghai,  Beijing etc.. some already forgot. 

 

For holiday there,  you can try Yunan. Kunmin has HSR now direct link to DaLi, and Lijiang. Both beautiful place.  Cost there are relatively cheaper than other city. But they also have more exotic food. Yunan I think spring around Mar will be nice season.

My past 10 yrs are mainly went there for holiday. Still love to travel there. 

Thanks for recommendation. This is useful. Planning a trip to China early next year and it is really hard to decide where to go. My last leisure trip there was more than 10 years ago.  🙏

[inlinesix]

On 8/10/2024 at 9:20 PM, Tohto said:

As I said never drive in for long long time. Actually for the past 13yrs, I had only drive in 4 time.

Had also never stop by uniform guy previously,  but their bad reputation just make me don't want to drive in.

I rather spend my money at other country.

There are a lot of ppl regularly.  Maybe you need to update the bad reputation.

Anyway, if you don't go in, 1 less ppl to cheong with us.

😂

[Voodooman]

On 8/10/2024 at 3:44 PM, therock said:

Tired after a long journey and more flight delays but some notes:

 

- China is a huge place so curate the number of places to visit

- discuss with your team what you want to see, eg natural sites vs manmade or restored 

eg the Jia Yu Guan is more or less rebuilt, whereas the Yu Men Guan is in it's original state

- expect crowds so check for the best times to go

- check the weather, summer can be a really hot time with blazing sun and dress for the trip

- shopping / eating / just cafe hunting is also fun

- get wepay or some form of Chinese payment, credit cards and cash only work in bigger establishments

- even non smoking hotels often smell of smoke, even the top end ones aren't really able to enforce the rule totally so caveat emptor

- there are a huge variety of food, but check what's available in the area and enjoy the local cuisine. Just remember they use salt, oil and also chili a lot more liberally. Have a plan B for those who don't take hot food

- cater for delays in flight, eg extend your transit times or even stay overnight to avoid missing flights. Domestic flights are filled with all kinds, some really intrude into your space and masks are a thing of the past, so bring your own and expect the dude next to you to be coughing. People also rush for the exits once the plane stops. In fact they push and shove everyone. You will understand this more since the demand is so great and its really 供不应求 - so they spend their whole lives jostling for resources of all kinds

Finally, it's not our country so respect their style, culture and traditions, compare and learn, but not complain, especially loudly. Enjoy the journey and the sights! 

I'll think of some notes on each place after I recover... 

Max for the bronze, nice! IMO, he could have done better, but it's always glorious to win. Majullah! 

On the shoving and elbowing, I was told there have been improvement over the years.  My last leisure trip, think 15 years ago, was during peak tourist season... didn't quite enjoy having to deal with masses of loud and uncouth Chinese tourists. 

Nothing against uncouth PRCs, can't exactly despise my own late grandfather.  It took Chinese Singaporeans, as a group, 20-30 years after getting reasonably rich to rid ourselves of some really bad behavior. China is probably going to take longer with the intense competition they face everyday, from jobs to education to affordable housing. Likely they will always be more hungry than us.

About time I visit to see for myself. Perhaps start with more sophisticated cities like Shanghai and Beijing.  Wahaha.  

[Volvobrick]

On 8/10/2024 at 9:49 PM, Voodooman said:

On the shoving and elbowing, I was told there have been improvement over the years.  My last leisure trip, think 15 years ago, was during peak tourist season... didn't quite enjoy having to deal with masses of loud and uncouth Chinese tourists. 

Nothing against uncouth PRCs, can't exactly despise my own late grandfather.  It took Chinese Singaporeans, as a group, 20-30 years after getting reasonably rich to rid ourselves of some really bad behavior. China is probably going to take longer with the intense competition they face everyday, from jobs to education to affordable housing. Likely they will always be more hungry than us.

About time I visit to see for myself. Perhaps start with more sophisticated cities like Shanghai and Beijing.  Wahaha.  

Most people queue up nicely now. But popular attractions will get lots of people. Can't avoid. 

[Tohto]

On 8/10/2024 at 9:49 PM, Voodooman said:

On the shoving and elbowing, I was told there have been improvement over the years.  My last leisure trip, think 15 years ago, was during peak tourist season... didn't quite enjoy having to deal with masses of loud and uncouth Chinese tourists. 

Nothing against uncouth PRCs, can't exactly despise my own late grandfather.  It took Chinese Singaporeans, as a group, 20-30 years after getting reasonably rich to rid ourselves of some really bad behavior. China is probably going to take longer with the intense competition they face everyday, from jobs to education to affordable housing. Likely they will always be more hungry than us.

About time I visit to see for myself. Perhaps start with more sophisticated cities like Shanghai and Beijing.  Wahaha.  

Go try out.

For big city likevShanghai, they have very efficient and reliable train/subway to travel around. Even to some 古镇 near by. You can even take it to suzhou. But that take a very long time. HSR is better option.

Shanghai is very very clean, on the street , even on the public toilet along the street and are free unlike Europe. So much better than our coffeeshop toilet. 

The city has many local tourist, so expect to see less educated or rudy Chinese around. And the Shanghaiese actually hate them. 

 

 

[therock]

On 8/10/2024 at 7:38 PM, Tohto said:

Must avoid their super peak season. 

Summer hols / labor week / and the big October break... and of course CNY

[therock]

On 8/10/2024 at 9:18 PM, Voodooman said:

I like cold but Siberian biting cold is not exactly my cup of tea.  Lol

I've been to -22 in Qinghai before, with the right clothes it can be ok

The lake there is very beautiful..

[therock]

On 8/10/2024 at 9:49 PM, Voodooman said:

On the shoving and elbowing, I was told there have been improvement over the years.  My last leisure trip, think 15 years ago, was during peak tourist season... didn't quite enjoy having to deal with masses of loud and uncouth Chinese tourists. 

Nothing against uncouth PRCs, can't exactly despise my own late grandfather.  It took Chinese Singaporeans, as a group, 20-30 years after getting reasonably rich to rid ourselves of some really bad behavior. China is probably going to take longer with the intense competition they face everyday, from jobs to education to affordable housing. Likely they will always be more hungry than us.

About time I visit to see for myself. Perhaps start with more sophisticated cities like Shanghai and Beijing.  Wahaha.  

If you don't like the push and shove, avoid the peak seasons, and also the more popular sites. Even for the great wall, I've walked it alone for miles before... don't go to the usual site and you'll be fine

 

Try places like Guizhou, Or Ningxia for example...

[therock]

Anshun - has very nice scenery - been there twice

 

 

 

[Tohto]

Can also try smaller place like Wuyishan in Fujian. 

Since at Fujian, food there are also much similar to what we have here.  I especially love the fresh bamboo shoot when I was there in 2013.

 

Edited August 10, 2024 by Tohto

[therock]

On 8/10/2024 at 11:38 PM, Tohto said:

Can also try smaller place like Wuyishan in Fujian. 

Since at Fujian, food there are also much similar to what we have here.  I especially love the fresh bamboo shoot when I was there in 2013.

 

Nice bro, I'll be in Fujian, Longyan in November, any recommendations? 

[inlinesix]

On 8/10/2024 at 11:02 PM, therock said:

If you don't like the push and shove, avoid the peak seasons, and also the more popular sites. Even for the great wall, I've walked it alone for miles before... don't go to the usual site and you'll be fine

 

Try places like Guizhou, Or Ningxia for example...

For Great Wall, Beijing Mutianyu is still ok to go.

Otherwise, there are loads of unrestored Great Wall in Beijing to explore.

Just need a local driver to drop and pick up

 

[Davidklt]

On 8/10/2024 at 7:37 PM, Tohto said:

My travel to China on business was mainly in the early 2010s for a few years. 

I had a multiple time in 2 weeks travel 5 city.  Visiting University research lab and some government related research institute. Uni in big city and even ulu place. Basically 2 days one city and weekend is my break. Some city include Shenzhen, Guanzhou, Zhengzhou, Kunmin, Xinxiang, WuHan, Ordos, Chengdu  Nangjing, Shanghai,  Beijing etc.. some already forgot. 

 

For holiday there,  you can try Yunan. Kunmin has HSR now direct link to DaLi, and Lijiang. Both beautiful place.  Cost there are relatively cheaper than other city. But they also have more exotic food. Yunan I think spring around Mar will be nice season.

My past 10 yrs are mainly went there for holiday. Still love to travel there. 

I like to travel in China too. As the locals say, 一个手机玩天下。 All you need is a mobile phone there.

[therock]

There are so many places used for filming so I like to link it to my trips if possible 

Once you’ve been to the usual in Beijing 

take some time to chill and drink kopi don’t just do the chan brothers refugee style trips 😅 

[teomingern]

On 8/10/2024 at 5:52 PM, Voodooman said:

It is but strong SGD helps to balance out inflation.  

But South East Asia's weather is generally not great.  

Yeah lar... but what to do... Singapore also like that... but I feel generally we're not as warm as other SEA countries... more moderate usually... the extremes aren't too often or that bad...

[Voodooman]

On 8/10/2024 at 7:25 PM, Tohto said:

I don't drive into Boleh for many years. 

Just don't want to be robbed by those wearing uniform and those snatched and run. 

My trip to boleh are all business trip to Penang which much safer than across the crossways. 

 

JB / KL are a lot safer these days.  Ask the Malaysians.

[Tohto]

On 8/11/2024 at 9:34 AM, therock said:

There are so many places used for filming so I like to link it to my trips if possible 

Once you’ve been to the usual in Beijing 

take some time to chill and drink kopi don’t just do the chan brothers refugee style trips 😅 

I thought your trip for thread was something like that 😁😅

[Tohto]

On 8/11/2024 at 11:11 AM, Voodooman said:

JB / KL are a lot safer these days.  Ask the Malaysians.

Not much interest me there. 

Even though I love to drive. 

The only pity is I can't drive in China.